Employment

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

VITAS Healthcare includes gender presentation among its protected categories for employees and volunteers.

I was pleasantly surprised to be told at my volunteer interview that it was just a matter of letting them know which pronouns I prefer.

Volunteering with a multi-facted organization such as VITAS can often be an avenue to full-time employment.

http://www.vitas.com/about-us/diversity

[Carolyn Marie]

Thanks for the good info, Kenna.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

I just received this from the Volunteer Coordinator at VITAS Healthcare:

For the people you meet, whether inside or outside of VITAS, I don’t need to tell you that there will be those who accept you completely. There will be some who perhaps approach you cautiously on the initial meeting, but as they get to know you, they will also accept you as Kenna. And there will be people who, due to their own limited view of the world, compounded by societal pressure to conform to narrow gender roles, will not accept you…and that is their choice, and their problem. Be out to everyone because each person you meet is another person you can educate simply by being true to yourself.

Let me say that from here on out, consider yourself to be Kenna to VITAS. You already are to Trish and me.

[Guest]

[Guest Mickey]

Oh my gosh! That is a great letter to recieve.

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

Oh my gosh! That is a great letter to receive.

I know that more and more companies are putting policies like this into effect, but this is my first personal experience with one of them. VITAS is in a number of states, so I hope others here will benefit from this information.

[Guest JennaR]

That is so awesome Kenna!!! :-)

Jenna

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

A few minutes ago, I got a call from the Volunteer Coordinator who interviewed me two weeks ago.

I was supposed to assist at one of their branches, but she and her manager want me to come to the main office instead and work directly for them. I'll go in two mornings a week, initially, and help keep the paperwork organized.

I know both women, and it's a shorter drive. So I said that would be fine with me. We talked about the restroom issue, and it won't be a problem.

One of her comments regarding the dress code was "no low-cut tops".

[Guest]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

"No low-cut tops"? Aw schucks.<giggle>

Congratulations on what sounds like a better position for you, Kenna.

Huggs,

Joann

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

This was my first day on the job as a volunteer with the hospice organization. I'm giving them just three hours in the morning Mondays and Wednesdays for now, as I also have a part-time job and three freelance projects needing my attention.

I'm happy to report that nothing unusual happened. It was "she" and "her" from the minute I walked in. I was introduced to quite a few people - all women except one - and they were very friendly and chatty. I already feel like "one of the girls". My wife and I have an invitation to the company's holiday party December 20th at a Hilton hotel on the beach

The first time I did this, about seven years ago, there was no gender presentation policy at either place where I worked. But I never had a problem. Here, the protections are spelled out and enforced. I get the feeling they would fire anyone who gave me a hard time.

[Guest]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

[Guest Mickey]

*looks for the like button*
Why do we NOT have a like button yet?!?!

This is such a feel good post that when I finally got to the bottom and could see the pics a huge smile burst forth onto my face, while tears of joy started flowing from my eyes. This is so very cool Kenna. Thank you for posting this today.

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

I hope it doesn't come across as too "me-centered".

My point is that there are opportunities for us out there, and the world is definitely changing for the better. This is a great example of a company that's on the cutting edge regarding transgender rights.

[Guest Mickey]

I hope it doesn't come across as too "me-centered".

I haven't gotten that at all from this post.

My point is that there are opportunities for us out there, and the world is definitely changing for the better. This is a great example of a company that's on the cutting edge regarding transgender rights.

This is what I've seen in this thread and that is what prompted my response earlier. Both the physical response and my reply here. I gives me joy to see the strides we are making today, as I remember the struggles of the past. This whole thread is way cool, from the very begining.

[Guest]

*looks for the like button*

Why do we NOT have a like button yet?!?!

......

Been lookin' for one for a long time, myself.

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

I received a very heartfelt invitation to attend the company's holiday party December 20th at a beachside Hilton hotel.

We're going!

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

I've quickly become just part of the office staff when I'm there two days a week.

I'm Kenna to most and even Miss Kenna to a few of the younger girls. There have been a couple of genuine compliments about things I was wearing, and occasionally someone asks how I'm doing, but for the most part people pay me no particular attention. If they know I'm transgender, I guess it doesn't matter to them.

[Guest Mickey]

That's cool, hearing about how well it's going for you. I so happy that you've found this level of acceptance there.

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

I was making some copies, and two women were in the room with me. One started telling the other in some detail about her daughter getting her period.

I thought, "What th...?!", and then I realized: Oh, yeah. I'm on that team now.

[Guest]

[Guest LizMarie]

That's wonderful that things are working out so well, Kenna!

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

Now that I'm in sync and comfortable with the women in the office where I volunteer, the last remaining step will be to tell my hair stylist next month to give me a cut that's both clearly feminine and age-appropriate. I feel a strong urge to look my best in that environment.

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

My wife and I just returned from the biggest holiday party we've ever attended, put on by the company where I do my volunteer work. It was in a ballroom at a beachside Hilton hotel.

There were easily more than two hundred people there, with tons of food, gambling tables for charity, a raffle with big ticket prizes and a DJ for dancing.

At one time, I could not have conceived of getting that kind of exposure. Now, I take it in stride - and so does everyone else. The only problem I had was a side zipper getting stuck between "up" and "down" when I really needed to go. I was able to free it, finally. Luckily, I had the ladies' room to myself during that debacle.

[Guest LizMarie]

It sounds like it held together nicely, and you didn't come inadvertently unzipped...